Once you understood Dorothy's reasons for committing that violent action at the end of chapter one, did you find any moral ambiguity in her behavior? Did she really have a choice?

Posted Jul. 14, 2013
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rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 169

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

Absolutely, I found moral ambiguity. There were some moments where I disliked her - I guess that is good writing to stir up an emotional reaction in the reader.

Posted Jul. 14, 2013
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dianac

Join Date: 04/02/13

Posts: 26

RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

Not at all. What you saw with her was essentially what she was.

Posted Jul. 15, 2013
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laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 68

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

Once the story completely unfolded, I I felt moral issues were resolved, , but the tension created by the story as it developed certainly raised lots of moral issues. along the way.

Posted Jul. 16, 2013
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sandrah

Join Date: 07/18/11

Posts: 49

RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

The reader can see it but Dorothy/Dolly cannot. She is a selfish person.

"The reader lives a 1000 lives before he dies. The [person] who never reads lives only one."George R.R. Martin.

Posted Jul. 17, 2013
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Navy Mom

Join Date: 04/12/12

Posts: 100

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

I disliked the young Dolly as the book moved on. At first I thought she treated her mistress well, but when her motive was to inherit her money I disliked her. I did not think she was good for Jimmy. I think she lacked moral integrity from the beginning. The Vivien-Dorothy did have moral ambiguity in that she just killed with no forethought. I didn't see how she could do that, especially after all the time that had passed.

Posted Jul. 17, 2013
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mariannes

Join Date: 12/17/12

Posts: 173

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

I understand that Dorothy was trying to protect herself and her family, but she still committed murder. There were other ways to handle the situation than immediately murdering someone. I don't think the morality was particularly ambiguous; it was murder.

Posted Jul. 17, 2013
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bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 121

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

Yes, there was moral ambiguity but I'm not sure she had a choice. Not only was Henry a danger to her and perhaps her children, but he also would have revealed who she really was. The book was written in such a way to make you dislike Vivien until you saw her from another viewpoint. For example, the day Dorothy was returning the necklace. Dorothy described Vivien as snobbish, not acknowledging her, and then probably coming to tell her employer that she stole the necklace. Then we hear a totally different account of what happened from Vivien.

Posted Jul. 17, 2013
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joycew

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 43

RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

Yes, there was ambiguity; but things are complicated and you have to make some decisions very quickly without time to assess the possibilities.

Posted Jul. 17, 2013
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sallyh

Join Date: 09/07/12

Posts: 56

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

Yes, certainly, but I think she had no choice but to do what she did.

Posted Jul. 17, 2013
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kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 147

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RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

I don't really define "Dorothy's" action (killing Frank, that is) as morally ambiguous, because it was instinctive; she lashed out with whatever was at hand while in a state of panic. It was evident that she was terrified of him and was particularly fearful of how he might hurt others who were nice to her. She was a momma bear defending her cub.

Posted Jul. 25, 2013
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Terry R

Join Date: 12/26/11

Posts: 10

RE: Did you find any moral ambiguity in Dorothy's behavior?

I agree with Kimk... It was an instinctive reaction to protect her baby.